The BAC Law Society organized an exclusive corporate visit to Maybank at Merdeka 118 Tower, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore the dynamic intersection of law, finance, and corporate governance. Through engaging discussions with industry experts, participants gained valuable insights into banking law, regulatory compliance, financial crime prevention, and career opportunities within one of Malaysia’s leading financial institutions.

Designed to bridge academic learning with practical industry experience, the visit provided participants with valuable insights into banking law, legal practice within financial institutions, and the evolving regulatory landscape of the financial sector. Students also had the opportunity to interact with experienced professionals and gain a deeper appreciation of the legal and compliance functions that underpin the banking industry.

The visit was guided by several key objectives: to provide practical exposure to banking law and regulatory compliance; enhance students’ understanding of corporate governance within financial institutions; introduce potential career pathways in in-house legal practice and financial regulation; facilitate professional networking with industry experts; and raise awareness of emerging issues such as financial crime, digital banking, and technological innovation.

A highlight of the programme was the panel discussion on Banking Law, Litigation & Regulatory Compliance, featuring distinguished professionals from Maybank’s Group Compliance, Legal, and Governance divisions. The speakers shared their expertise on a range of contemporary legal and regulatory issues, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), financial crime risk management, corporate governance and board-level decision-making, legal advisory functions within banking institutions, as well as litigation management and legal risk mitigation.

The panel also explored the challenges presented by digital banking, emerging technologies, and financial crime, illustrating how financial institutions balance innovation with increasingly complex regulatory requirements. An engaging question-and-answer session concluded the programme, allowing participants to interact directly with the panellists, seek career advice, and gain a clearer understanding of the skills and competencies required to pursue careers in banking law, compliance, and financial regulation. The speakers also emphasised the importance of developing both strong legal knowledge and essential soft skills to succeed in today’s professional environment.

The corporate visit successfully achieved its intended objectives by enhancing students’ understanding of banking law and financial regulation while providing meaningful exposure to real-world legal and regulatory challenges. Participants also benefited from valuable networking opportunities and a greater awareness of career prospects within in-house legal departments and compliance functions.

Here is what they say – from the comms

The Maybank visit was one of the most insightful experiences I’ve had in a long time. As a law student, I rarely have the opportunity to hear professionals from the banking industry share their experiences, making this session especially valuable. The panel discussion sparked great curiosity as we explored the diverse career paths that a law degree can lead to, from legal advisory and compliance to risk management and financial crime prevention. Beyond the engaging discussions, being able to tour Maybank’s headquarters and take in the picturesque view from the 57th floor made the experience even more memorable. It was truly an inspiring visit that broadened my understanding of the legal profession and the many opportunities that exist beyond traditional legal practice.

Erica Chu, UKT Y1 April 2026

The Maybank visit was a really eye-opening experience, especially since I had always thought about a law degree in terms of traditional legal work. Listening to the speakers gave me a new view of how legal knowledge is used in the banking industry. They explained how teams like legal, compliance, and financial crime work together to guide decisions and manage risks. Visiting Maybank’s headquarters also made the experience feel more real and helped me understand how big and complex its operations are. Overall, the visit helped me see the many career paths available to law graduates and made me feel more interested and excited to explore them.

Ellana Bareng, UKTL Y2 Sept 2025

The BAC Law Society extends its sincere appreciation to Maybank and its panel speakers, Tiah Wen Lin, Head, Group Financial Crime Compliance and Pan Sian Zhi, Head, Group Financial Intelligence Unit for their generous hospitality and for sharing their invaluable knowledge and professional experiences and BAC management for the guidance and encouragement throughout the planning and execution of the event.

Join BAC LAW Society now as they look forward to creating more opportunities that bridge classroom learning with real-world legal practice and inspire the next generation of legal professionals.

By Jane Dava for BAC Engage 2026